New Primer on Immigration Through the Temporary Protected Status Program

Andrew Evans

In October, a court halted the Trump Administration’s effort to remove “Temporary Protected Status” (TPS) designation from four countries: Haiti, Sudan, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. But what is this program, and how does it work? In a new Primer, AAF’s Director of Immigration and Trade Policy Jacqueline Varas and Kevin Lentz outline the history and structure of the program.

Key points:

The TPS program was designed to provide temporary sanctuary to individuals from countries experiencing an ongoing environmental disaster, armed conflict, or other conditions preventing them from safely returning. TPS recipients must reside in the United States at the time their country is designated with TPS status and apply for TPS from within the United States.

The application process involves biometric screening, criminal background checks, and proof of physical presence, residence, and date of entry into the United States.

The United States currently provides TPS to approximately 436,866 foreign nationals from 10 countries. The Trump Administration is seeking to terminate the temporary protected status of six countries, effectively ending protection of 98 percent of all TPS beneficiaries, although a court has blocked four de-designations.